Gifford's Ice Cream wins first place at the 2017 World Dairy Expo
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SKOWHEGAN - For years, Gifford's Ice Cream competes in the World Dairy Expo to see who has the best ice cream. They've got first place this year, but the flavors that won them the gold isn't what you'd expect.

Gifford's is known for its many flavors of ice cream, but it's its core flavors like vanilla that's taking home the prize.

"We literally pick ice cream off the line you're going to buy at your local grocery store," said Ryan Porter, the quality assurance manager. "That is what we're going to send to a contest like this. So what you're eating is award winning ice cream essentially."

And with over 100 options, that's saying something. Gifford's has competed in the World Dairy Expo close to 15 years. They've won first place numerous times and even the grand championship. Whether it's their vanilla bean, orange sherbet or chocolate, a lot of love goes into making their product.

"It allows us to go out to our customers and reassure to them, regardless what is going on in the industry, our quality of the product will never change," said JC Gifford, the vice president of sales.

While it's nice to bring home a trophy, those at Gifford's say, it's the smiles on families that makes it rewarding.

"The other awards are great, it means a lot," said Gifford. "But when we see other families similar to ours enjoying the product, that's what hits home to us."

Jack Hilton joined WVII ABC 7 and WFVX Fox 22 in March of 2016. He was born in Montreal, Canada but was raised in the sunshine state, Fort Lauderdale before graduating cum laude from Husson University with a Bachelor’s deg...